The Masque of the Red Death Page #4

demands as worship?

These cells are very old.

A hundred years ago,

an ancestor of mine...

was a Christian monk.

He was made examiner

of an early inquisition.

He tortured over 600 men,

women, and children...

in order to save

their souls...

for your god of love.

I cannot answer.

I have no learning.

But then is Satan

a god of hate?

Oh, no.

Of reality, of truth.

The world lives

in pain and despair...

but is at least

kept alive...

by a few dedicated men.

If we lost our power,

chaos would engulf everything.

Sometimes that power

must be used...

to teach harsh lessons.

But I don't

want to learn.

I'm afraid.

I do not want

to hurt you, my dear.

Can't you understand?

I want to help

save your soul...

so you can join me

in the glories of hell.

No! Never!

The way is not easy,

I know...

but I will take you

by the hand...

and lead you through

the cruel light...

into the velvet darkness.

Lord Satan...

he who is known as

Belial by the ancients...

demon lover,

of all those...

who wish to live

in your eternal night...

here in your hour

of deepest dark...

in your temple

and before your altar...

I twice bind myself

to thee:

As your handmaiden

and your betrothed.

And with this symbol

of your lasting victory...

I inscribe the final mark

and offer myself to thee.

Oh, Lord Satan,

send me a demon...

so I may know

I'm to be your wife.

What are you

lurking about for...

you grinning, twisted devil?

Not only am I afflicted

with this body...

but with sleeplessness

as well.

Losing your sleep because

of the tiny dancer?

She's nothing to me.

I prefer

a full-sized woman.

Do you, now?

How do you set about

getting such a woman?

My Master Prospero

provides me...

with companions

from time to time.

A good master.

Yes, I suppose so...

but I imagine

there are better.

You'd like to leave

Prospero's service?

I fear for the security

of his reign.

If I could find

a strong protector...

I might dare a change.

And what special service

have you to offer...

that might persuade

someone else...

to take you

under his protection?

All manner of things.

I've a crafty

and inventive mind.

Indeed?

For example?

The masquerade.

I would devise something

startling, novel...

something that

would be the talk...

of the entire revel.

Have you told Prospero

of this novel thing?

I fear the Prince

is much too austere.

Will you tell me?

Everyone will

dress as usual.

A harlequin,

a Chinese,

a soldier,

or a princess.

They will all

either be beautiful or humorous.

But all will be

obviously human.

I will come as a demon.

Why not come

as a great ape?

When the guests

are gathered...

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